Fallacies

Equivocation: February 20, 2015.

I was in the car with my brother and for some weird reason he was driving (I always drive). We were coming up to a street he was supposed to be turning left on and we were having a conversation about what we should do that night. He suggested something that I agreed with and I said "Yeah, right." He then thought I meant for him to turn right when I was just agreeing with what he had said. This was a rather hilarious turn of events (literally).

Appeal to Authority: Feb. 17, 2015.

I woke up to some interesting news on Twitter. A person who was very popular and worked for a prestigious newspaper had reported that there was a huge trade about to be made in the NHL. Assuming the report was true because of the respect I had for this gentleman, I started making assumptions of my own. I talked about the trade with my friends, family and anyone who enjoyed hockey. Later, the report was taken back by the columnist and everything was just said to be a lousy rumour. Note to self: never make assumptions until a deal has been reported as final and not just rumblings that some reporter has overheard.

Appeal to Equality: Feb 16, 2015.

On the break, a hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs made a rather sexist remark. He said "we're not here to be girls about it," referring to the team's practice efforts.

There were multiple articles made about this situation, but I read one that seemed to come of as sexist towards women because it was saying the incident wasn't that big of a deal. Someone, a self proclaimed feminist, took deep offence to this article and I decided to side with them for two reasons. One, I mostly agreed with them. The article could come across as sexist and demeaning to women. Two, well, I am a firm believer of equal rights, and if someone cries wolf about a problem of equality between men and women, I tend to believe everything they say just because I don't want people to think I am an ignorant person.

Now that I look back and have some time to think, the article, though terribly written, wasn't as bad as people were saying it was. Sure it was edgy, but I don't think it deserved all the flack given.

How I Want to be Perceived as a Journalist

In a world of journalism where ethics have been getting less and less important every year, I want to be that person who brings back the morality.

With social media like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, it's easier to just put a small post out on the internet rather than write an article for a newspaper. Easy access is a big part of why, ethically, there is a problem in journalism. With social media, reporters can put something out there in an instant without thinking, and the ones who don't think before they type can end up in a whole lot of trouble. Anything you put out on the internet is there forever. It doesn't matter if you delete everything.

If I'm going to be a reporter with good ethics, I want to think before I act. My integrity is everything. Before I write an article, make a Facebook post or type out a tweet, I need to think about if it is going to be received well by the public and if it is a true statement.

I want to be perceived as a journalist that delivers the truth, but also doesn't act with impulse. You need to report quickly, but not without thinking about what you are putting out to the public.

Being an ENFJ

Taking the Myers Briggs test I was given the title of ENFJ.

ENFJ labels me as someone who likes to get to work right away and doesn't procrastinate. It's quite the opposite, actually. I push deadlines and work into the late hours of the night, sometimes the morning, because I've put my work off so long. I don't like to do any work until I am pressured to, which is a horrible habit, but it shows that I do well under stress.

What the test did get right was that I am an extrovert. I am outgoing and do well in crowds, while also maintaining a strong social media presence whether it's Twitter, Facebook or blogging.

The test also stated that I make decisions with my heart more than my head. This isn't true. Though my feelings do come in contact with my decision making, I feel I weigh the pros and cons of every situation, figuring out how each outcome will affect myself, but more importantly others.

Overall, I think this test is hit and miss. In some aspects, it can read me like a book, but in others, I'm given completely inaccurate descriptions.

Callum Fraser

How do you view yourself? How do you think other people view you? 

The perceived self and presenting self are two different takes on one human being. How you see yourself directly relates to the amount of self esteem you carry. If you're fairly confident in yourself and you like your own characteristics, you'll have a positive perceived self. But the way other people see you is the reality of what you truly are to others. The presented self is an opinion of others of your image.

In the world of journalism, the perceived self is insignificant. It doesn't matter how you feel about yourself because you're not trying to impress yourself and feel good about the human being you think you are, you're trying to make an impression on the person you're interviewing, the person who might give you a job or people you may need as sources. The presented self is so important in journalism because it's all about networking. If people like you, they'll help you out.

Your presented self can be improved with how you treat people, how you dress and how you conduct yourself. If you're rather polite and don't attack people, you'll likely be recognized in a good manner. If you dress professionally, people will take you seriously and it bodes well for your reputation. If you are focused and determined, you will impress your peers. 

Anything people can judge you on, that's what contributes to your presented self.